Headfort Foundation takes “Wellness Behind Bars” to Female Correctional Centre, Kirikiri

As part of efforts to improve the overall wellbeing of incarcerated women, Headfort Foundation for Justice has extended its intervention programmes to the Female Correctional Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, through a targeted medical outreach under its new initiative, “Wellness Behind Bars.”

Newsmen reports that the outreach which took place on Wednesday saw 200 inmates benefit from the welfare service, while over 100 benefitted from free medical support.

Speaking at the event, Miss Oluwakemi Adenekan, Programmes Manager at Headfort Foundation, expressed gratitude to the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPc) for their critical support in bringing the initiative to life.

Adenekan said that through their support, the foundation was able to provide free medical checks, drug dispensation, mental health support, and welfare items to over 200 inmates.

“We are deeply thankful to dRPc for their support. This outreach is proof that justice is not only about legal representation—it is about restoring dignity,”

“In the course of our legal aid work, we discovered that many inmates lack access to even the most basic healthcare.

“They often leave prison looking malnourished, unhealthy, and broken. Their physical condition is heartbreaking.

“That’s why we launched the ‘Wellness Behind Bars’ project — to ensure that access to healthcare becomes a part of the justice journey,” Adenekan explained.

According to her, over 100 inmates received medical consultations, and those diagnosed with minor illnesses were treated with prescribed medications.

She added that female hygiene items including sanitary pads and toiletries were distributed to the inmates.

She explained that the programme also featured a dedicated mental health awareness session facilitated by Arogi Trauma Care Foundation, where inmates were taught coping strategies and stress management techniques suitable for life within the correctional system.

she said that Headfort Foundation, known for offering pro bono legal services to inmates, continues to advocate for a holistic approach to criminal justice, one that combines legal aid with welfare, healthcare, and rehabilitation services.

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Chioma Ndukwu

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